The Supreme Court of Nigeria has officially upheld the election victory of Umo Eno as the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, bringing an end to the disputes surrounding the March 2023 polls. In a decisive ruling, the apex court dismissed appeals filed by the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Young Progressives Party (YPP), and the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP), all contesting various aspects of Eno’s eligibility or the conduct of the election.
This recent verdict follows the Court of Appeal’s earlier dismissal of similar suits against Governor Umo Eno last year, reaffirming the legitimacy of his election. The petitioners, namely Bassey Albert Akpan of the YPP, Akanimo Udofia of the APC, and John Akpanudoedehe of the NNPP, had raised concerns ranging from allegations of electoral malpractices to questioning Eno’s qualification to hold office.
Prior to the Supreme Court’s ruling, counsel to the APC and Akanimo Udofia, Hassan Liman, SAN, was urged by the court to withdraw the appeal. The court expressed dissatisfaction, stating, “It is not every matter you bring here to bother us. Since you couldn’t invite WAEC to disown the certificate you claimed was forged, stop wasting our time. The tribunal did a good job, and we read the judgment, and it was a perfect judgment; we urge you to withdraw.”
Consequently, the APC Counsel complied, stating, “I hereby withdraw the Appeal based on the highest wisdom of Their Lordships.” Lead Counsel to Sen Bassey Albert, Mr Ahmed Raji, SAN, chose not to appear on the appellant’s team, and Senator Bassey Albert himself apologized to the court for bringing up the appeal.
The Supreme Court expressed displeasure at the repetition of arguments regarding the arrangement of names on the WAEC certificate, highlighting similarities between the cases involving Akanimo Udofia and Senator Bassey Albert. Governor Umo Eno, represented by legal experts including Paul Usoro, SAN, Essien Udom, SAN, Uwemedimo Nwoko, SAN, and Emmanuel Enoidem, SAN, defended the legitimacy of his election.
